Successful 2th place in Abu Dhabi at Tri Yas

02/17/2017 News

After a successful season opener at 70.3 Dubai and following intense 2.5 week training camp in the tropical paradise of Phuket, I hit the start line again in Arabia on my way home.

For the third time in a row I was racing TriYas Abu Dhabi, actually the biggest triathlon race all over Arabia (and sold out with almost 2000 athletes). What makes this race so unique is the race course – completely traffic free and all taking place on iconic Yas marina cicuit, better known also as the F1 circuit of Abu Dhabi!

If it had not been race day I definitely would have taken the day off training – a mix of fatigue caused by the intense training block, travel stress and jetleg was my biggest challenge for once. Luckily some coffee and race adrenaline got my into the gears and I was able to start with a very good swim. No comaprison to the struggle in Dubai 3 weeks ago! Also the bike still felt good and I was able to break away together with German athlete Patrick Lange, averaging 44km per hour on this high speed but yet technical course. The run, usually my strengh, was for once a big struggle and I never found my rhythm over the final 10km. I was happy to secure and defend my second place as Patrik prooved too strong on this day.

Now it is time for some recovery at home and feeling my shape improving throug rest ;-). I am very happy with my first two races of the season and how the training went so far. I am looking foward to be racing again in 3 weeks at 70.3 Subic Bay Philippines and the week after at 70.3 Taiwan. Rumors are there will be the revenge from 70.3 Worlds Champs last year as world champion Tim Reed (Aus) should also be racing there.